French Syria and Lebanon

Full Name 63 French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon
Alliance Neutral or Non-Belligerent
Possessing Power France
Entry into WW2 8 Jun 1941
Population in 1939 3,716,000

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon was declared, under French control, in 1920. During WW2, after observing German and Italian aircraft stationed in the mandate, Allied troops invaded Syria-Lebanon to remove the possibility of a German attack on eastern Egypt. The French had 7 battalions of French troops and 11 battalions of colonial troops, under the command of French High Commissioner General Henri Dentz. The French forces were also supported by 289 aircraft and 2 destroyers at the eve of the Allied invasion. The campaign lasted about five weeks, during which the Allies defeated the French through heavy fighting. In order to prevent the news of the 1,000 French deaths from undermining Allied morale, the spread of this information was artificially reduced. In late 1941, Free French General Georges Catroux was placed in command of the mandate, and on 26 Nov, he promised independence for what was to become the modern nations of Lebanon and Syria. Lebanon became independent in Nov 1943 and Syria became independent in Jan 1944.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Update: Sep 2014

Events Taken Place in French Syria and Lebanon
Campaigns in the Middle East2 Apr 1941 - 30 Aug 1941


Photographs

British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill in Damascus, Ottoman Syria, 1912Australian troops with captured Morane-Saulnier MS.406 fighters and a Potez 630 bomber, Syria, Jul 1941Captured French Potez 63.11 aircraft, Aleppo, Syria, 1941Wrecked French Potez 630 and Farman 220 aircraft at Baalbek, Syria, 1941
See all 7 photographs of French Syria and Lebanon in World War II


French Syria and Lebanon in World War II Interactive Map




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Prof Eugene Sensenig says:
15 Sep 2018 07:41:54 AM

Who has information on IFP during WWII in Lebanon. How many people were internally displaced during 1940-41?

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French Syria and Lebanon in World War II Photo Gallery
British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill in Damascus, Ottoman Syria, 1912
See all 7 photographs of French Syria and Lebanon in World War II


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